10th - 11th April 2025

Friday, 11th April: After a surprisingly hard frost, an increasingly warm morning of unbroken sunshine in just a light northerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Two Wheatears were along the front and Reed Bunting was in the trees on the Oval Field, but  this morning, and two Common Terns were off Hillfield Road, but three Whimbrel and eight Brent Geese east was about it for eastward migration. Full log below. (BI/MO-W/IP/LP/SP/AH/SR et al)

(0600-0830hrs) (N, F1-2)

Great Northern Diver - 6os

Gannet - 3E

Brent Goose - 8E

Common Scoter - 4W, 3os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Oystercatcher - 5W

Curlew - 2W

Whimbrel - 3E

Mediterranean Gull - c300os

Lesser Black-backed gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 14E, c40os

Common Tern - 2os

Skylark - 1W

Linnet - 7N

Reed Bunting - 1

Mediterranean Gulls (above), Reed Bunting & Sandwich Terns at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Nine Avocets and four Snipe were on the pool this morning, along with a pair of Lapwings, six Redshanks and c50 Black-tailed Godwits, but wildfowl numbers were down, with just a dozen or so Shelducks and Shovelers and c30 Teal, plus the pair of Gadwall present. (AH/PA)

Avocets (above) & Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A visiting birder reported a Hoopoe from the area around the sleepers a the start of the beach early this morning, but there were no further sightings, unfortunately.

Otherwise, a handful of Swallows and Sand Martins went over, along with a few Meadow Pipits, whilst a Whitethroat as in the hedge along the path to he beach and a Willow Warbler was at the bottom of the path from the car-park, with one or two Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps about, too.

A Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier and four Buzzards were up over the Severals, whilst at least 40 Sandwich Terns and c100 Mediterranean Gulls were in the harbour, along with a Greenshank, a few Dunlin and c20 Shelducks, plus a pair of Brent Geese that flew right around it.. (AH/PA/LP/SP/GR et al)

This evening the Black Redstart was around again, along with two Wheatears, a Whitethroat, seven Willow warblers, nine Chiffchaffs and six Blackcaps. (PA)

Greenshank (above), Red Kite and Carrion Crow & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail to Ham Viewpoint - Three Corn Buntings, a Whitethroat, five Linnets, six Yellowhammers, two Buzzards and plenty of singing Skylarks were along the banks and two Sedge Warblers and another couple of Whitethroats could be heard along the Medmerry Trail which was generally on the quiet side. (SR)

Corn Bunting at Medmerry (SR)

Thursday, 10th April: After another sharp frost and a cold start, a pleasant morning of sun and white cloud, though remaining cool in the moderate north-easterly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Two Arctic Skuas and a flock of a dozen Whimbrel east were the best of another slow morning, with migration seeming to have ground to a halt at present. Full log below. (AH/OM/P&LH/SR/AW et al)

(0655-1040hrs) (NE, F4)

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 12E, 20os

Shoveler - 6E

Common Scoter - 1E, 4W

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 2W, 3os

Oystercatcher - 12E

Curlew - 2E

Whimbrel - 12E

Bar-tailed Godwit - 2E

Arctic Skua - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - c300os

Common Gull - 3E

Sandwich Tern - 14E, c80os

Swallow - 2N

Linnet - 1E

Bar-tailed Godwits and Oystercatchers (above), Common Scoters (AW), Red-throated Diver & Sandwich Terns (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and a Snipe were on the pool this morning, along with 14 Avocets, a pair of Lapwings, six Redshanks, c50 Black-tailed Godwits, a pair of Gadwall, 22 Shelducks, c40 Shovelers and c60 Teal. (OM/AH/&LH)

Snipe, Shovelers, Teal and Black-tailed Godwits (above), Avocet & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A Sedge Warbler was along the pool early this afternoon, together with a Whitethroat and half a dozen Chiffchaffs, with pairs of both Little and Great Crested Grebes on the water and three Swallows over. (P&LH)

Church Norton: Most of the interest was on the land this morning, with the first Lesser Whitethroat in the hedges by the horse field, the Black Redstart again on the concrete blocks, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting in the Severals, and a Willow Warbler, five Blackcaps and a dozen Chiffchaffs in the hedges, plus six Swallows, two Rock Pipits and a Marsh harrier over.

The harbour was quiet, though, with just four Sandwich Terns, ten Mediterranean Gulls, two Dunlin, ten Grey Plovers and six Teal of note. (P&LH/MRe)

The Black Redstart was still present this evening, whist at least 100 Mediterranean Gulls, but just a handful of Black-headed Gulls and no Sandwich Terns, were out on the mud, along with a Whimbrel and c20 Black-tailed Godwits. (AH/S&SaH)

Whimbrel (above) & Mediterranean Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There were a few more Sedge and Reed Warblers singing from the reeds this morning, although none were showing, and three Blackcaps were along the bushes, as well as c20 Greenfinches, a Chaffinch and six Cetti’s Warblers.

A Great Crested Grebe and two Shelducks were on the Breech Pool and six Cattle Egrets were in the fields with a few more in the trees at Owl Copse, whilst at Halsey’s Farm, a Kingfisher flew down the rife and a Sparrowhawk was over the fields.

There were just a few Redshanks along White’s Creek, and further out there were c20 Grey Plovers and six Dunlin, with six Common Seals on the mud.

Two Cattle Egrets were in the paddocks, as well as a Green Woodpecker, two Jays, two Jackdaws and a Song Thrush, and unusually, two House Sparrows were in the blackthorn by the sluice. (LP/TRH/SP/MJa/EB)

Shelducks (above), Chaffinch & Greenfinch at the North Wall (LP)

West Itchenor: There were c400 Mediterranean Gulls present this morning, along with four Sandwich Terns, with six Chiffchaffs and two Blackcaps in the hedges and a Swallow over. (MRe)

Chichester GPs: The Red-crested Pochard wasn't showing this morning, with just four Pochard, c30 Tufted Ducks, 15 Great Crested Grebes and two Egyptian Geese around the pits.

Also, 15 Sand Martins, four House Martins and three Swallows were feeding overhead, but two Cetti's Warblers, four Blackcaps and eight Chiffchaffs were all the hedges had to offer. (MRe/OM).

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was showing well again on the Stilt Pool this morning. (R Allan)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - A female Merlin flew off from the partially ploughed field at Porthole Farm this morning and at least a dozen Swallows were feeding, and even singing, overhead, whilst up to a dozen Chiffchaffs were in the sheltered hedges, and at least four Whitethroats were along the Medmerry Trail towards Ham, along with a pair of Stonechats, a dozen Yellowhammers and c20 Linnets.

At Ham, two Corn Buntings were singing along the bank, with a Sedge Warbler singing from the ditches and a male Stonechat nearby, but otherwise there were just four Reed Buntings, a couple of Skylarks and c50 Linnets about. (AH)

Corn Bunting (above), Corn Bunting and Linnet, Reed Bunting and Linnets, Whitethroat, Stonechat & Swallows at Medmerry (AH)

7th - 9th April 2025

Wednesday, 9th April: After another frosty start, another bright and breezy morning, though with a chill edge to the fresh north-easterly...,

Selsey Bill: At last, the first two Arctic Skuas - both dark-phase birds - of the spring went through this morning, as did two Whimbrel, but it was generally  quieter than the last few days. Full log below. (SH/PB/AH/SR)

(0600-0930hrs) (ENE, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Fulmar -1W

Gannet - 6E, 7W, 10os

Brent Goose - 10E

Shelduck - 4os

Mallard - 2

Common Scoter - 5E, 2W, 10os

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E

Oystercatcher - 5E

Whimbrel - 2E

Arctic Skua - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - 28E, 28W

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 56E, 50os

Razorbill - 1E

Swallow - 1N

House Martin - 1

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Linnet - 2E

A Fieldfare flew in off the sea late this morning. (ML)

(1300-1400hrs) (SH)

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 3E, 1W

Sandwich Tern - 13E, 6os

Whimbrel (above), Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper and three Snipe were on the pool at high tide, this morning and a Jack Snipe flew out of the Small Pool and dived over the bank towards the Long Pool.

Otherwise, there were still ten Avocets, a displaying pair of Lapwings, 60 Black-tailed Godwits and four Redshanks present, along with a pair of Gadwall, c25 Shelducks, c40 Shovelers and c60 Teal. (AH/TG-Pet al)

Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwits, Shovelers and Shelducks (above), Snipe and Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings, Avocet & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Visiting birders reported a Black Redstart on the concrete blocks this morning. (Eds)

North Wall: A Reed Warbler and a Sedge Warbler were singing in the reeds by the Breech Pool and a Great Crested Grebe was on the water, but along the hedgerows there were just five Cetti’s Warblers, a Reed Bunting and three Chiffchaffs.

The cows were in Honer 1 and accompanied by 23 Cattle Egrets, with eight more in the trees at Owl Copse, along with three Grey Herons and wo Little Egrets., whilst a Kingfisher was again along Owl Water, but at Halsey’s Farm there were just a couple of Skylarks and a Swallow passing overhead.

Also, the female Kestrel was in the paddock, as well as two Pied Wagtails and a Jay, with a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the garden at Little Welbourne. (LP/CT/CRJ/JC)

The Barn Owl was out at dusk this evening at Halsey's Farm. (SR)

Cattle Egret (above), Great crested Grebe & Pied Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - After going missing for much of yesterday, the Least Sandpiper was back on the Stilt Pool this morning, along with two Little Ringed Plovers and 14 Avocets, whilst the Short-eared Owl was seen again, heading east, being chased by Herring Gull.

There was no sign of the Hoopoe, though, with just a Redstart, four Stonechats, a Whitethroat, a male Blackcap, six Cetti's Warblers, four Reed Buntings and five Yellowhammers along the banks, plus a Siskin, a Sand Martin, a Yellow Wagtail, a Red Kite and a Buzzard going over. (AS/PB/SaH/HB/AB/PA et al)

Least Sandpiper at Medmerry (AB)

Chichester GPs: The drake Red-crested Pochard was on East Trout Lake Lake this morning. (AH)

Red-crested Pochard at Chichester GPs (AH)

Tuesday, 8th April: There was a light frost at dawn, but the morning slowly warmed in the hazy sunshine and moderate north-easterly, veering to the south-east later......

Selsey Bill: Up to nine Wheatears were seen this morning, including a couple in off the sea, with one or two House Martins, Sand Martins, Swallows and Meadow Pipits in off, too, but, beyond 90 Brent Geese, a Black-throated and a dozen Red-throated Divers, eastward passage offshore remains fairly minimal. Full log below. (IP/JF/TR/AH/OM/SR)

(0655-1255hrs) (NE3-4 to SE3)

Red-throated Diver - 12E

Black-throated Diver - 1E (1235hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Great Crested Grebe - 2os

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 14E, 9W

Little Egret - 1N

Brent Goose - 92E

Shelduck - 7E

Eider - 1os

Common Scoter - 121E, 50os

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 2W

Shoveler - 5E

Oystercatcher - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 6E

Sandwich Tern - 40E

Common Tern - 2E

Sand Martin - 1N

House Martin - 2N

Swallow - 2N

Wheatear - 2N, 7ob

Meadow Pipit - 6N

Chiff/Willow sp (phyllosc) - 1N

Wheatear (above), House Martin, Sandwich Tern & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Spotted Redshank was among c60 Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe was in the reeds and ten Avocets were about this morning, along with 22 Shelducks, a pair of Gadwall, c50 Shovelers and c60 Teal. (AH/ABi et al)

Later, the two Little Ringed Plovers were present again, too. (IP)

Black-tailed Godwits (above) & Gadwall at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The first three Little Terns of the year were in the harbour this morning. (NR)

North Wall: A male Redstart was in the paddocks this morning and a Spoonbill was in the harbour before flying off south. (MJa et al)

This afternoon there were 29 Cattle Egrets in Honer 1 field (Bi)

Redstart (above) & Spoonbill at the North Wall (MJa)

East Head: A Yellow Wagtail went over, heading north, and a Whitethroat was singing at Snowhill Creek this morning. (PH)

Fishbourne Creek: Highlight this morning was a Common Sandpiper at the Lavant outflow, along with two Avocets, whilst elsewhere along the creek were three Greenshanks, 25 Shelducks and 20 Wigeon, with six Gadwall and a Grey Plover at Fishbourne and 90 Black-tailed Godwits and 15 Curlew roosting off Dell Quay.

Also, the bushes held a number of Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, two Blackcaps and at least four Cetti's Warblers. (RW)

Runcton: A Tree-creeper was present this morning. (MJ/CRJ)

Chichester GPs: The drake Red-crested Pochard was on Nunnery Lake this afternoon. (ABi)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were no confirmed reports of the Least Sandpiper this morning, despite a fair few people looking, but there was consolation in the form of a Hoopoe that flew over the track opposite the Stilt Pool and then settled on the north side of the banked up area opposite Marsh Farm, showing well, if fairly distantly, all morning.

Also, a female Black Redstart and a Reed Warbler were near Marsh Barn, with a couple of Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Chiffchaffs also present, along with a pair of Stonechats and plenty of Yellowhammers and Linnets.

A Red Kite and a couple of Buzzards went over, but the Stilt Pools just held a dozen Avocets and the pair of Little Ringed Plovers. (AS/BI/AB/AH/SR/IP/PB et al)

The Hoopoe continued to show to a stream of admirers all afternoon and into the evening, and there was also a Short-eared Owl hunting near the beach. (SH/MRe/EB et al)

A short video of the Hoopoe (BI) is here HOOPOE

Hoopoe (AW top, AH lower two) (above), Avocets, Yellowhammer & Red Kite (AH) at Medmerry

Monday, 7th April: The persisting spell of anti-cyclonic weather continues, with another bright morning, cold early on warm later, in a fresh north-easterly breeze......

Selsey Bill: Five Little Gulls and 101 Common Scoters were about it for eastward activity offshore, though there was good inward migration again, including two Yellow Wagtails, two White Wagtails, a male Redstart, 14 House Martins, 22 Sand Martins, four Swallows, 283 Meadow Pipits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker coming in off the sea.

There was also a rare sighting from the Bill-tip of two Buzzards over the town. (PA/IP/AH/SR/P&LH)

(0645-1200hrs) (NE, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 2E

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 21E, 30os

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 10E

Mallard - 3

Tufted Duck - 2E

Common Scoter - 101E, 7W, 75os

Red-breasted Merganser - 7E, 2W

Sparrowhawk - 2

Buzzard - 2

Oystercatcher - 5E

Whimbrel - 2E

Turnstone - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Common Gull - 6E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1E

Little Gull - 5E

Sandwich Tern - 41E, 7os

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1N

Swallow - 4N

Sand Martin - 22N

House Martin - 4N

Meadow Pipit - 283N

Yellow Wagtail - 2N

White Wagtail - 2N

Redstart - 1N

Willow Warbler - 5N

Linnet - 12N

Goldfinch - 12N

Yellow Wagtail (above), Willow Warbler, Sandwich Tern (AH) & Whimbrel (AW) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: A Spotted Redshank was among the roosting flock, but it was otherwise much the same as usual this morning, with eight Avocets, four Lapwings, c45 Black-tailed Godwits, 28 Shelducks, c50 Shovelers and c75 Teal about, along with half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls.

Also, a Willow Warbler and a couple of Chiffchaffs were in the hedge by the Small Pool. (AH)

Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets, Mediterranean Gulls and Tel (above), Black-tailed godwit & Willow Warbler at the Ferry (AH)

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Church Norton: A Willow Warbler and half a dozen Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps around the Mound/hide area, and a Sand Martin, a Swallow and a few Meadow Pipits over was about it for migrants this morning, whilst there was also a female Marsh Harrier over.

In the harbour, there were just a dozen or so Sandwich Terns and similar of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls on the mud, with few waders to be seen beyond the Whimbrel and a handful of Ringed Plovers and Black-tailed Godwits, with a few Teal about, too. (AH/PA)

Marsh Harrier (above), Whimbrel, Sandwich Terns & Blackcap at Church Norton (AH)

Selsey Peninsula: A Long-eared Owl was on the Peninsula today. (Eds)

North Wall: A Sedge Warbler and a Reed Bunting were in the bushes behind the paddocks, where there were five Little Egrets, a White Wagtail, two Song Thrushes, a Green Woodpecker, two Kestrels and a Jay, with both male and female Marsh Harriers over the reeds.

A Kingfisher flew along White’s Creek, and a Gadwall was on the water, a few Teal and Wigeon were still about, and 28 Redshanks and 8 Black-tailed Godwits were on the mud, but it was still quiet along the wall with just a handful of Chiffchaffs, Long-tailed Tits and Greenfinches along the hedges and 34 Cattle Egrets, six Grey Herons and four Little Egrets in the trees at Owl Copse.

Also, four Swallows flew over the fields at Halsey’s Farm, and five Skylarks were up singing, but there was nothing around the bushes there. (CRJ/LP/DHi/GHi/CT/TRH/JDW/MJa)

Sedge Warbler (above), Marsh Harrier, Gadwall, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshanks (LP) & White Wagtail (CRJ)  at the North Wall

West Itchenor: At least three Willow Warblers were singing around Chalkdock and the car-park this morning. (PH)

Chichester GPs: The drake Red-crested Pochard re-surfaced this afternoon, firstly on East Trout Lake, then Copse Lake, before flying off to Vinnetrow Lake.

Also, a Sedge Warbler was singing at Runcton Lake, where a Swallow went over, too. (AW/LP/SR)

There was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard on any of the pits this evening, though two House Martins were around. (MRe)

Red-crested Pochard (above) & Swallow at Chichester GPs (AW)

Sidlesham: A Tawny Owl was calling shorty before dawn along Cow Lane this morning. (AH)

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was still present around the breach area this morning. (per AB et al)

The Least Sandpiper was back on the Stilt Pool this evening, whilst a Wheatear was on the beach and a Short-eared Owl was around the tidal area. (PA)

Short-eared Owl (above) & Least Sandpiper at Medmerry (PA)

Medmerry Trail to Ham - A walk along the Trail to Ham produced three Swallows, three Stonechats, nine Chiffchaffs, a Corn Bunting, eight Reed Buntings, 29 Yellowhammers, 32 Linnets and 18 Skylarks. 

Also, a Marsh Harrier and five Buzzards went over and two Sandwich Terns, 18 Mediterranean gulls and an Avocet were around the breach. (P&LH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - Two Swallows were over the settling tanks this evening - the first seen here this spring, whilst at least three Willow Warblers and six Chiffchaffs were in the hedges, c100 Linnets ere on the stubble fields and half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls went over. (AH)

Swallow (above), Willow warbler & Mediterranean Gull at Medmerry (AH)